Method of making precast railroad tie and tie plate

ABSTRACT

A novel method of making a reenforced railroad tie from precase concrete or other settable material, including embedding therein combined anchoring and auxiliary reenforcing elements of L-shape, or of inverted T- or pi -shape of a pair of unique rail tie plate sub-assemblies molded in conjunction with the tie so the auxiliary reenforcing rods of the respective tie plate subassemblies, which extend longitudinally of the tie, do not touch one another, so as to avoid any possibility of short-circuiting rail related electrical signals. One method embodiment provides for using conventional rail tie plates together with weldattached rail spikes having the heads depending from and projecting into the concrete molded tie, and across which heads auxiliary longitudinally directed combined reenforcing and anchoring rods are disposed for embedment in the precast tie so as not to touch the corresponding rod portions of the other tie plate or of other metal reenforcing rod elements constituting basic or primary reenforcement for the precast or molded tie. Another method embodiment relates to the fabricating of the subcombinations of the rail tie plates with the unique integrally attached combined anchoring and auxiliary reenforcing rod portions thereof.

United States Patent 1191 Bartlett METHOD OF MAKING PRECAST RAILROAD TIE AND TIE PLATE [76] Inventor: Jamie S. Bartlett, 6927 Green Hill Pl., Tampa, Fla. 33617 22 Filed: Nov. 30, 1973 21 Appl. No.2 420,458

Related U.S. Application Data 7 [62] Division of Ser/No. 316,567, Dec. 19, 1972, Pat. No.

[52] U.S. Cl 29/471.3, 29/475, 238/84, 238/287, 264/35, 264/261 [51] Int. Cl E0lb 3/32 [58] Field of Search 238/84, 91, 92, 94, 93,

238/29, 304, 371, 373, 377; 52/704, 698, 52/701; 249/86, 91; 264/35, 271, 261; 18/DIG. 10; 29/4713, 475

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,289,940 12/1966 Groffm 238/29 3,764,066 10/1973 KOWell 238/84 Primary Examiner-M. Henson Wood, Jr. Assistant Examiner-Richard A. Bertsch Attorney, Agent, or FirmJohn E. Becker 3,863,329 Feb. 4, 19.75

57] ABSTRACT A novel method of making a'reenforced railroad tie from precase concrete or other settable material, including embedding therein combined anchoring and auxiliary reenforcing elements of L-shape, or of inverted T- or 'rr-shape of a pair of unique rail tie plate sub-assemblies molded in conjunction with thetie so the auxiliary reenforcing rods of the respective tie plate sub-assemblies, which extend longitudinally of the tie, do not touch one another, so as to avoid any possibility of short-circuiting rail related electrical signals, One method embodiment provides for using conventional rail tie plates together with weld-attached rail spikes having the heads depending from and projecting into the concrete molded tie, and across which heads auxiliary longitudinally directed combined reenforcing and anchoring rods are disposed for embedment in the precast tie so as not to touch the corresponding rod portions of the other tie plate or of other metal reenforcing rod elements constituting basic or primary reenfo'rcement for the precast or molded tie.

' Another method embodiment relates to the fabricating of the sub-combinations of the rail tie plates with the unique integrally attached combined anchoring and auxiliary reenforcing rod portions thereof.

9 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures filed Dec.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to an improved precast and preferably steel rod reenforced railroad tie and tie plate combination, which tie is fabricated of initially plastic or cementious material which may be preferably of concrete aggregate or synthetic resinous plastic material, or the like.

More particularly it relates to the aforesaid combina tion whereby an improved tie plate sub-combination is provided which serves a dual purpose of rail supporting and attachment as well as supplementally strengthening the basic steel rod-reenforced concrete tie.

Heretofore there have been various reenforced concrete or plastic railroad cross ties proposed some of which have'embodied molded-in-place anchor boltsor combination reenforcing rods and anchor bolts such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 742,144; 756,815; 950,146; 1,410,496 and 2,875,953. I-Iowever,none of the prior art patents with which I am familiar have proposed myspecific improved combinations and subcombinations involving the integral molding of substantially planar form tie plates with preferably recessed nuts or nut means for receiving rail clip bolts, and with combination plate-anchoring and tie -reenforcing structural rods integrally formed therewith.

OBJECTS AND BRIEF SUMMARY OF INVENTION Accordingly, it is a principal object of this invention to provide an improved precast railroad cross tie and rail plate combination which provides improved and simlified means of both supporting and attaching the rails or tracks upon the cross ties, as well as simultaneously providing substantial supplemental reenforcing of the tie.

Another object is' to provide a combination of the aforedescribed character in which various forms of the tie plates of either single or dual shoulder form may be integrally molded in association with the precast tie body, and to provide a novel process for the making thereof. 1

Yet another object is to provide a novel subcombination of unitary tie plate anchor and rail anchor means and method of making it which lends itself to competitive independent fabrication in various forms and is readily useable in conjunction with a variety of different precast or molded cross tie members.

The foregoing objects are achieved by providing in one embodiment a pair of preferably L-shaped rigid metal anchor and reenforcing rods affixed in spaced apart relation toward each of the gage and field sides of generally conventionally planar form tie plates. The base legs of the L-shaped rods extend longitudinally within the main body of the tie and the corresponding gage and field side rods have their base legs extending in longitudinally opposite directions. In some forms-the rods may be aligned or coaxial, but more preferably the field side pair of rods are offset laterally relative to and greater than the gage side pair of rods to reduce con- 2 plate is provided with an aperture and'a nut means rigidly fastened between said pairs of rods for receiving a rail clip' fastening bolt. The nut means which may comprise prethreaded nuts are preferably disposed on or welded to the underside of the plate and protectively also embedded within the concrete.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages will become more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the illustrative drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS FIG.-I is a side elevational view of my improved combination. tie and tie plate means, in association with which the rails are depicted in phantom lines;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of my novel tie plate subcombination, shown with a rail clip and fastening bolt in exploded relation therewith;

FIGS. 3 and 4 are similar enlarged gage and field end views respectively of the rail tie and tie plate of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged top plan view of my novel tie plate subcombination, showing certain of the rods foreshortened to permit the clarified enlarged scale;

FIG.- 6 is an enlarged longitudinal cross-sectional view through-the tie plate viewed substantially on line 66 of FIG. 5, and as shown with a fragmentary portion of a tie;

FIG. 7 is a transverse cross-sectional view taken substantially on line 7-7 ofFlG. 2.

FIG. 8 is a reduced scale perspective view showing a modified form of the tie plate and anchor subcombina-' tion", I

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view showing details of alternative features; and

FIG. 10 is a reduced scale end view of a modified form of tie plate and anchor sub-combination.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring in more detail to the drawing, the precast tie and tie plate assembly is generally denoted 10. The assembly 10 comprises an'elongated tie body 12 fabricated of an initially plastic or settable material which hardens into a rigid bodyaround a plurality of longitudinally extended rigid reenforcing rods 14. My novel tie plate sub-assembly is generally designated 16 and includes a generally planar tie plate I8 which when rods 26 represent preferably the wider spaced field side centration of stresses within the plate as' well as within the tie, when the ties are in use. Additionally the tie rods. While the two pair of rods, in some instances, might beuniformly spaced relative to a longitudinal centerline 28 (FIG. 5) of the plate and tie, it is preferred to stagger them so that the corresponding rods 4 of each pair and more particularly the horizontal rod portions are not generally coaxially disposed with one another. This is to lessen concentration of forces in the plate and tie.

The'upper end portions of upright sections of the L- shaped rods are integrally secured in any suitable manner, as by welding at 30 (FIGS. 6 and 9). In some forms the rods may be butt welded directly'to the undersurface of the plate,.as per FIG. 9, whereas where using platesv l2 which are provided with suitable apertures 32, such as shown in FIGS. 2-6, the ends of the rods may be inserted into and welded within said apertures 32. The points of attachment may be in general alignment with the spaced apart double rail shoulders 34 and 36 at the gage and field sides respectively. Shoulders 34 and 36-are for the purpose of centering orproperly engaging the opposite base flange sides of a rail as installed thereon, which is basically a conventionally known type of tie plate in this respect. FIG. shows in enlarged detail some very satisfactory exemplary dimensions for the plate and rod relationships, illustrated for use as with a typical 100 No. R.E. rail. Similar exemplary dimensions are denoted in association with FIGS. 3 and 4.

The tie plate 12 is further preferably provided with the usual slightly canted track-bearing medial surface 38 (FIGS. 2, 5 and 6), which surface is slightly inclined so as to cant the tracks slightly toward each others gage side. I

Platel2 has alpair of threaded nut means 40,40.

fixedly attached preferably to the undersurface thereof 7 and generally medially between the spaced pairs of rods 24 and 26. When so mounted in the preferred manner beneath plate 12, a bolt-receiving aperture 42 is provided centrally above each of the nuts 40 to receive complementally threaded end of suitable rail clip retaining bolts 44, one ofwhich is exemplified at 44 in FIGS. 2 (and FIG; 7) in association with a typical apertured rail clip 46. The nuts 40 and holes 42 are preferably oppositely offset from the centerline 28, shown more clearly in FIG. 5.

A typical size bolt fastener 44 may have a inch diameter. Also the rods 24 and 26 preferably have ap-.

proximately 56 inch diameter, while the principal tiereenforcing rods 14 may beof or 79inch diameter. Rods 14,24 and 26'may have an ASTM designation of The tie plate of FIGS. 2-8 is further illustrated with a pair of shoulders 50,50 disposed preferably parallel to one another and to the shoulders 34 and 36, but depending from the undersideof plate 12. Shoulders 50 are also embedded into the tie body and help rigidify the'plate and its assembly.

bodiments. The basic difference of the FIG. 8 embodi-- ment, as compared with that of the aforedescribed embodiment resides in changing the L-shaped anchor rods toinverted T or 1r(pi) shaped rods designated 25 in FIG. '8. These merely further include the medial portions 25' which interjoin the otherwise base leg portions of the L-shaped anchor rods 24 in the firstdescribed embodiment. The FIG. 8 form may differ in other respects, such as omitting the pre-formed holes 32 where the rods are either butt welded to or possibly integrally cast with the tie plate body 12. Also it may be of either single or dual shoulder type and may omit the depending ribs 50 shown in the first-described embodiment. The FIG. 8 form preferably utilizes an integrally molded boss means 40' (FIG. 9) and the tapped holes 41.

The FIG. 10 embodiment is made from readily available conventional materials such as tie plates 12 having the preformed square holes 32 which, for some conventional installations are intended to receive the shanks of conventional rail spikes driven therethrough into the more conventional wood tie. However, in this modified form, four of the spikes 52 are disposed and welded therein so as to depend from the underside of the tie plate body 12 when the latter is in the upright position. The heads of the spikes 52 hang down preferably the same general distance beneath plate body 12 so that approximately 30 inch lengths of anchor and reenforc- 615-40. It isunderstood that for different size ties, and

different gage rails the various dimensions may be mod- 'nut 40, a suitable protected recess 48 (FIGS. 6 and 7) may be provided for beneath the nuts 40 during molding operation. Where no recessis used the opening of the nut or threaded bore is suitably protected so as not to fill'up with the cementious material.

' Furthermore the nut means 40 could be formed atop of the plate 12 although this is not as preferred, Additionally, when embedded beneath plate 12, nuts '40 may be swaged or otherwise provided with depressions orprojections which will lend themselves to being more positively anchored within the tie and to be less susceptible to breaking loose or deforming under stress as if they were mounted above the tie. With the nuts recessed within the tie body, they areprotectively hidden from the elements and therefore not susceptible to'oxidation and'the like ing rods 25 can be preferably welded or otherwise fastened to or held adjacent said spike heads and in a manin the premolded tie, in order to avoid short circuiting of rail related electrical signals of various kinds.

Because the ties are molded in a form in which they are inverted from the form in which they are ultimately used in the field, due to the preferably tapered crosssection to 'permit easy removal from the form, it is further contemplated that the heads of the spikes 52, or other equivalent members, can be provided with grooves 54 in which to seat the rods 25 during preassembling the components during manufacturing. While it is preferable to weld the rods 25 to the spikes 50, in some instances where headed spikes are used, it would probably suffice to merely lay rods 25 within the shallow grooves formed in the heads. In the latter form, the four spike head would serve to anchor the tie plate and the unwelded rods 25 would serve as auxilary tiestrengthening rods.

This latter described form presents a novel apparatus combination as well as novel method of making both the sub-combination of tie plate and anchor subassembly and the completely precast tie with tie plate assembly molded therein.

Both the apparatus and method particularly attendant the latter-described embodiments, lend themselves to the fabrication of the tie plate sub-assemblies not only from new materials but also from salvaged used components which are still of good structural quality, thereby enabling the costs thereof to be reduced and held down to minimal levels.

Accordingly, it is apparent from the foregoing detailed description and illustrative drawings, that a novelly improved precast tie plate combination has been evolved which satisfies the objectives and achieves the advantages set forth in the preamble and throughout the specification. Other variations and modifications may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A method of making a precast reenforced rail tie and tie plate combination, of which the tie is formed of an initially cementious or plastic material, including the steps of:

a. disposing an elongated mold form of a generally I U-shape cross-section in a horizontal position with the open side upward to receive the cementious material;

b. positioning within the form a first plurality of spaced-apart elongated reenforcing rods of a length extending substantially from end to end of the rail tie being cast in said mold form;

. positioning a pair of opposed rail tie plates including combined transversely projecting anchor and reenforcing rods thereon constituting in part a'second plurality of reenforcing rods, at the bottom of the open form in laterally opposed relation so that the projecting combined anchor and second plurality of reenforcing rods are generally medially disposed within said form and do not touch those of the other laterally spaced plate or those constituting said first plurality of reenforcing rods; and

d. filling said form with a setable cementious material and leveling said material substantially flush with the open top of said form.

2. The method as defined in claim 1, wherein step (c) further includes fabricating said anchor and reenforcing rods in two sub-steps including 1. attaching relatively short length components of anchor rods unitarily to said rail tie plate so as to project angularly therefrom into a generally medial cross-sectional portion of said form, aligning said short length rod components longitudinally within said form in two spaced pairs, and terminating said short lengths of anchor rods in ends disposed at a generally uniform level within said mold; and

2. subsequently placing longitudinally elongated rod length components of tie-reenforcing rods upon said terminal ends of said short length components.

3. The method as defined in claim 2, wherein said step (c) includes utilizing conventionally available rail tie plates, and welding conventional headed rail spikes to the underside of said tie plate to constitute the short length rod components transversely projecting from said tie plate withthe spike heads remote from said plate.

4. The method as defined in claim 3, further including forming grooves in said spike heads so that at least a longitudinally aligned pair of said spikes can receive in said groove an elongated rigid rod member extended coextensively of the longitudinal length of said tie and generally parallel to said reenforcing rods of paragraph (b); said rigid rod members constituting at least auxilary reenforcing means for said precast tie.

5. The method as defined in claim 4, further including terminating the longitudinal lengths of said elongated rigid rod members so as not to physically contact corresponding rod members of the other laterally spaced tie plate, thereby precluding establishment of potential electrical connection between metal railway tracks as useable on said cross tis to avoid possibiltiy of short-circuiting rail related electrical signals.

6. A method of making a prefabricated subcombination of a generally planar rail tie plate and unitary anchoring means therewith for use in precast fabrication of railway cross ties, said method including the steps of: v

a. attaching to a rail tie plate combined railreenforcing and rail-tie-plate anchor rod means formed of angularly connected comonents,

b. said attaching step '(a) further including the substeps of l. attaching at least one pair of relatively short length components of anchor rods unitarily to said rail tie plate so as to project angularly therefrom a distance which corresponds to a medial area of a rail cross tie with which it is useable;

2. aligning said short length components in a manner which would be longitudinally with said rail tie; and terminating said short length components in ends which are disposed at a generally uniform distance from and on a plane parallel to a basic major plane of the rail plate; and

3. subsequently placing a longitudinally elongated rod component of the rail-reenforcing rod means upon said terminal ends of said short length components.

7. The method as defined in claim 6, wherein step (b) (1) includes attaching two pair of said short length components in the manner defined for said one pair, but spacing said two pair a generally uniform distance apart in a direction which would be longitudinal to a rail track associatable therewith.

8. The method as defined in claim 6, wherein the step (b) further includes utilizing conventionally available rail tie plates, and welding conventional headed rail spikes to the underside of said tie plate to constitute the short length rod components transversely porjecting from said tie plate with the spike heads remote from said plate.

9. The method as defined in claim 8, further including forming grooves in said spike heads so that at least a longitudinally aligned pair of said spikes can receive in said groove an elongated rigid rod member extended coextensively of the longitudinal length of said tie, said elongated rigid rod members constituting at least auxilary reenforcing means for said precast tie. 

1. A method of making a precast reenforced rail tie and tie plate combination, of which the tie is formed of an initially cementious or plastic material, including the steps of: a. disposing an elongated mold form of a generally U-shape cross-section in a horizontal position with the open side upward to receive the cementious material; b. positioning within the form a first plurality of spacedapart elongated reenforcing rods of a length extending substantially from end to end of the rail tie being cast in said mold form; c. positioning a pair of opposed rail tie plates including combined transversely projecting anchor and reenforcing rods thereon constituting in part a second plurality of reenforcing rods, at the bottom of the open form in laterally opposed relation so that the projecting combined anchor and second plurality of reenforcing rods are generally medially disposed within said form and do not touch those of the other laterally spaced plate or those constituting said first plurality of reenforcing rods; and d. filling said form with a setable cementious material and leveling said material substantially flush with the open top of said form.
 2. The method as defined in claim 1, wherein step (c) further includes fabricating said anchor and reenforcing rods in two sub-steps including
 2. subsequently placing longitudinally elongated rod length components of tie-reenforcing rods upon said terminal ends of said short length components.
 2. aligning said short length components in a manner which would be longitudinally with said rail tie; and terminating said short lengtH components in ends which are disposed at a generally uniform distance from and on a plane parallel to a basic major plane of the rail plate; and
 3. The method as defined in claim 2, wherein said step (c) includes utilizing conventionally available rail tie plates, and welding conventional headed rail spikes to the underside of said tie plate to constitute the short length rod components transversely projecting from said tie plate with the spike heads remote from said plate.
 3. subsequently placing a longitudinally elongated rod component of the rail-reenforcing rod means upon said terminal ends of said short length components.
 4. The method as defined in claim 3, further including forming grooves in said spike heads so that at least a longitudinally aligned pair of said spikes can receive in said groove an elongated rigid rod member extended coextensively of the longitudinal length of said tie and generally parallel to said reenforcing rods of paragraph (b); said rigid rod members constituting at least auxilary reenforcing means for said precast tie.
 5. The method as defined in claim 4, further including terminating the longitudinal lengths of said elongated rigid rod members so as not to physically contact corresponding rod members of the other laterally spaced tie plate, thereby precluding establishment of potential electrical connection between metal railway tracks as useable on said cross tis to avoid possibiltiy of short-circuiting rail related electrical signals.
 6. A method of making a prefabricated sub-combination of a generally planar rail tie plate and unitary anchoring means therewith for use in precast fabrication of railway cross ties, said method including the steps of: a. attaching to a rail tie plate combined rail-reenforcing and rail-tie-plate anchor rod means formed of angularly connected comonents, b. said attaching step (a) further including the sub-steps of
 7. The method as defined in claim 6, wherein step (b) (1) includes attaching two pair of said short length components in the manner defined for said one pair, but spacing said two pair a generally uniform distance apart in a direction which would be longitudinal to a rail track associatable therewith.
 8. The method as defined in claim 6, wherein the step (b) further includes utilizing conventionally available rail tie plates, and welding conventional headed rail spikes to the underside of said tie plate to constitute the short length rod components transversely porjecting from said tie plate with the spike heads remote from said plate.
 9. The method as defined in claim 8, further including forming grooves in said spike heads so that at least a longitudinally aligned pair of said spikes can receive in said groove an elongated rigid rod member extended coextensively of the longitudinal length of said tie, said elongated rigid rod members constituting at least auxilary reenforcing means for said precast tie. 